Politically speaking, Richardson as VP candidate helps us win.

[pinto]

I've gone back and forth between Sen's. Clinton and Obama for the top of our ticket, of late. Have sent a few measly $10 donations to each campaign, as I did when Gov. Richardson and former Sen. John Edwards were in the race.

I happen to like the process, as convoluted as it is.

That said, I too, tire of this endless primary. The bottom line remains clear to me, though. We have a chance to build a Democratic coalition from the White House, through the Congress and on into the States.

This election may be less about the race for the top of our ticket as it is a groundswell of support for local and state candidates to pick up the pieces of the national train wreck that is the Republican party in our current political life.

It's sooo about time.

Sen. Clinton or Sen. Obama will be our candidate. Richardson as a VP would be a fine choice for either, in my humble opinion.

Southwestern - which is a rapidly growing Democratic locus; a Governor - not a Senator; widely experienced; obviously familiar with both of our top ticket organizations.

In the GE, I think a Northern Presidential candidate coupled with a Southwestern VP on the ticket would be unbeatable.

Put my two cents in for Richardson as VP on our ticket.

:kick:

[Muttocracy]

1. How could he be HRC's VP at this point - Judas vs. his criticisms of them? nt

[geek tragedy]

2. Moot point, since Obama will be the nominee. n/t

[Muttocracy]

16. I think so too, just following the OP logic - though they missed the Judas thing I guess. nt

[pinto]

9. I think he could be, if she wins, and he accepts.

Criticism is a standard of politics. Not sure what the Judas reference is about. A comment somewhere, I guess.

That said, politics, imho, remains a process, not an end all or be all. I don't expect Sen. Clinton or Sen. Obama to personally solve our national problems as President. I do expect either of them to help return the rule of law, the separation of powers in our federal system, some realistic efficiency in that system and federal due process, as they can.

We remember FDR for some great accomplishments of his presidency. Social Security was reviled as socialism in its day. Yet he held the course he felt was best for the country. His success, and ours, was built on adept political compromise, and political maneuvering. The same is so with LBJ's accomplishments. Overshadowed by his VietNam fiasco, he was an apparently unlikely leader in equal rights, yet rose to the occasion, and he was the President that signed Medicare legislation into law after it was passed by a Democratic Congress.

[olkaz]

How could you have missed the whole "Judas" dustup?

Seriously, news.google.com and put in Carville and Judas.

It was a pretty big deal for a while.

[Muttocracy]

14. Richardson endorsed Obama near Easter. Carville (Clinton camp) called BR "Judas"

I'll see if I can find the video of Carville refusing to apologize to Bill when they were both on Larry King - saw it on DU.

edit - Having trouble with the search engine (due to traffic maybe) but here's NYTimes:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/us/politics/22richardson.html

The reaction of some of Mr. Clinton’s allies suggests that might have been a wise decision. “An act of betrayal,” said James Carville, an adviser to Mrs. Clinton and a friend of Mr. Clinton.

“Mr. Richardson’s endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic,” Mr. Carville said, referring to Holy Week.

Mr. Richardson said he called Mrs. Clinton late on Thursday to inform her that he would be appearing with Mr. Obama on Friday to lend his support.

“It was cordial, but a little heated,” Mr. Richardson said in an interview.


and here's YouTube a few weeks later - Carville not apologizing, Richardson had been saying Carville's statements were further proof of the awful style of the Clinton campaign.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiQHjv3tMTw

[pinto]

18. Carville, as entertaining as he his, remains a talking head. I tend to ignore them.

As a voter, I listen to candidates' positions as they, themselves, define them.

Commentary is interesting and insightful, at times, but not a major deciding factor in my vote.

[Muttocracy]

19. well, I'm not aware of Clinton distancing herself from Carville on this

If she did I'm happy to be corrected. If not, I'm back to my statement that I can't see BR and HRC on a ticket together.

[pinto]

24. Carville called Richardson Judas. So what? It's TV. That's what they do.

And I realize my hypothetical ticket is a stretch.

[Cha]

26. Good question..so many people forget

about all the damn bridges hilary's burned. And, it is moot..no way is she the candidate.

[John Q. Citizen]

3. He could certainly run with Obama. I think he'd be a good choice.

[patrice]

4. Don't you think his talents would be best employed as Secretary of State? nt

[pinto]

20. Yeah, agree, in practical terms, he'd be a great one , imho.

I was thinking 'bout us winning the election to get there.
:kisk:

[patrice]

50. 75 calls this evening, trying to make that HAPPEN! nt

[AspenRose]

5. I know people have concerns about his standing in the Senate, but....

I prefer Jim Webb.

Yes, I know he just got in the Senate. And we're fighting hard to turn VA blue.

But he used to be a republican, so he knows how they think. He doesn't take any crap off of anyone. He's a good foil for McCain's "war hero" status. Former Secretary of the Navy. A brilliant Marine and Vietnam Vet with a Silver Star, Navy Cross, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts. His son just returned from Iraq. And (I hate to admit this, but it's the truth) he would likely be able to get the white working class voters Obama has trouble getting.

Obama/Webb would be unstoppable.

[aquart]

6. A black/Hispanic ticket?

Sure, kid.

Macho male heaven.

[gateley]

10. Yes --

We have to remember whose votes we need to get in the GE. I think either Hillary OR Obama would have to go with a seasoned white guy. Not everybody thinks like us, and two minorities race/race or gender/race, would not entice the moderate Republicans to come on over to our side.

Sucks, but we have to be pragmatic and we have to be thinking strategy at this point.

[AspenRose]

15. Exactly

I hate admitting it too. :-( But this country isn't ready for two minorities on the ticket (they're having a hard time picturing ONE, be they ethnic or female!).

[gateley]

44. I hate it, too -

in fact I hate even TYPING it. But I've learned my lesson from the last two elections that there are a LOT of people who don't think like I do!

Those are the people we need to go after!

[barack the house]

52. Latin Americans plus African Americans make a third of America then the youth vote done deal.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

7. That's my man.

[scheming daemons]

8. Blacks+Hispanics make up 1/4 of the electorate.... Obama would only need 1/3 of whites to win...

[Alexander]

11. He's an awful debater, he said being gay is a choice, he used the Spanish word for "faggot" on radio

He had DREs installed in New Mexico before 2004, when the state unexpectedly went to Bush.

Kerry would have selected him for VP except he's got problems with drinking and womanizing.

Richardson? No thanks.

[AspenRose]

17. Yes I was going to mention the potential problem with las mujeres

Could be nothing, but in an election year, "nothing" can become "something" in a big hurry.

http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/58210.html

[goclark]

48. Nothing becomes something only with true Democrats

HCBC and all the Republicans get a free pass.

Whatever happened to McCain's lobby lady -- no mention after 2 hours.

[book_worm]

12. I think Richardson would be the best choice for Obama

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

13. Speaking as someone from a Great Lake State

nevermind, you all know what I'm thinking about. That was spoken of in total ignorance on his part, it had to have been. I'd pull the lever for Obama/Richardson.

Hope he keeps the beard, too cute.

[MadBadger]

21. I disagree. I think Jim Webb is the best, especially for Obama

[pinto]

27. Good point.

[MadBadger]

28. Virginia is borderline in play, but with Jim Webb on the ticket, its very much in play

I think we could win states like Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico without Richardson on the ticket. But having Jim Webb on the ticket could make the difference in a state like Virginia.

[pinto]

33. Yeah, agree. I think the experience of a Governor, though - annual budgets and such -

would be a good balance on the ticket. I like Webb a lot.

[MadBadger]

36. I agree with that. I'm very much for Richardson, though recently I've moved towards Webb

He isnt dragged down with the long Senate record like McCain would be. He has a lot of experience outside of the Senate. Not to mention, hes a tough, white, somewhat conservative person from a Southern state. That is very appealing to working class whites/reagan Dems.

[pinto]

39. I think we need to change that " Reagan Dem." meme. For the country and our party.

[MadBadger]

40. I agree...but whatever you want to call those people, Obama will have a problem in the GE with them.

[pinto]

34. That said, we need Virginia, Presidentially and Congressionally.

:kick:

[my3boyz]

45. I would hate for Dems to lose the senate seat though. nt

[last1standing]

22. Richardson is qualified but maybe not the best choice this time.

He has alienated Clinton by supporting Obama. Because of this he would never make it onto a Clinton ticket, and if he did, the animosity would hurt the ticket more than help.

As for Obama, while I hate saying it he will have to choose a white man associated with the Clinton camp or at least highly experienced. If he chose Richardson, or Clinton herself, the ticket would be decried as not representing the majority of Americans. I know its stupid but I think that Obama is aware that the repubs would be pushing that meme 24/7.

I think that Clinton would choose Wes Clark for his war record and his appeal to the progressives she has failed to attract.

I believe Obama would go for either Clark, if he'd join up, or Biden. Either would boost his foreign relations and military credentials as well as placating the idea that minorities are taking over the country. :eyes:

Still, I hope Richardson gets a very prominent position in Obama's cabinet. He'd make a good Sec. of State.

[pinto]

29. Biden would sell me, as well.

[last1standing]

41. I'd prefer Clark because of his progressive views.

And, of course, his ability to pull in Clinton supporters, but Biden would also be a big help to Obama's campaign. Probably more likely as well.

[kentuck]

23. I think he would make a heckuva Secretary of State...

He knows how to be a diplomat and how to negotiate with other countries.

[pinto]

31. Agree.

[terrell9584]

25. Richardson has the charisma

of Ben Stein in Ferris Bueler's Day Off.

That's the problem, the guy is painful to listen to when he speaks. That's why he didn't go farther. His method of delivery where he delivers a phrase, an akward pause and another phrase is just not charismatic. There is a way to speak rhythmically, but he ain't got it. If you are looking for a Hispanic candidate to balance out the ticket, there are better people to go to, for example, any of the Democratic congressman from Texas or Salazar out in Colorado. Not Richardson though, if he had what it took, he actually would have made a showing in Nevada.

[OHdem10]

30. Can someone please explain to me why the fascination with

Richardson??? He was a terrible candidate and appeared to be
the biggest panderer inthe world.

I am being sincere. I cannot see what he would do for either
of our candidates.

Bet you Bloomberg is VP for Obama and the Unity Agenda will be rule.

Do not know who will be VP for Hillary.

[madrchsod]

32. he`s a very skilled negotiator

probably the best we have. if he is`t vp he will probably be sec of state.....

[Beausoir]

35. Richardson...who believes that being gay is a choice? You're kidding, right?

Jesus Christ. The guy is a neanderthal.

[pinto]

37. I'm gay. He's straight. I don't hold it against him. n/t

[Beausoir]

38. Did you choose to be gay? Do you believe being gay is a choice?

[pinto]

42. Ummm, no and no.

My point is that I see a politico, whom the man is, in total, unencumbered by a certain set of preconceived standards. I've seen what the man has done in his state, and he's done well.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

43. Bad choice- he certainly wouldn't help to bring any Clinton supporters over and would hurt in that.

I would think that that would be a big concern of Obama's. I think it would serve to make it mcuh less likely that a Clinton supporter would go out and vote for that ticket.

As a Clinton supporter - I will vote for Obama if he wins - but putting Bill Richardson on that ticket makes me question whether I would want to vote for that ticket. I don't trust that guy one bit and think he's a creep. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of other Clinton people feel the same.

[Eurobabe]

46. No way will "Judas" accept VP slot from Clintons.

If he had a shred of dignity, he'd tell them to stuff it where the sun don't shine. But will be moot point, because Obama is our nominee.

[mmonk]

47. I agree. I was a fairly loyal contributor for Richardson's

presidential run along with Dodd and Kucinich. Richardson can help bring our presidency back into the world community and help on the long road back to leadership rather than belligerence.

[bpeale]

49. no it doesn't help to win. he can't get people in his own state to

vote for him for president, he can't get the latino's to vote for him, he can't get ANYBODY to vote for him. he's a loser.

[nebulovsky]

51. He's not great in debates

That part worries me.